Mary Porter AM MLA - Labor Member for GinninderraYour Voice in the ACT Government |
||
|
Mobile Office Meet me at the shops and markets. May
June
There are currently 0 users and 1 guest online.
|
Community NoticesCommunity Notices GUNGAHLIN LIBRARY SERVICES WORKSHOP A SUCCESSSubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 2:22pm.Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Mr John Hargreaves has announced the outcome of the ‘Shaping Library Services in Gungahlin’s Community Workshop held last night. “I am very pleased with the outcome of last night’s community workshop. The event was well attended with lots of positive feedback and creative ideas,” Mr Hargreaves said. “At the end of 2007 the ACT Government announced plans to build a new public library to be shared between the college and the community as part of the new Gungahlin College campus development. “Last night’s community workshop invited Gungahlin residents and representatives from local groups and organisations to attend and provide valued input into this project. “The ACT Government is committed to providing services and facilities to the residents of Gungahlin. Community workshops like these are critical to ensure that the community’s needs and aspirations are gathered together and provide an opportunity for local residents to contribute. “The ACT Government aims to create a library that goes beyond the traditional library to meet the learning, literacy, information technology, economic, recreational and social needs of the Gungahlin community. “Following last night’s feedback from the community I believe the new Gungahlin Library will set the stage for future library development in the ACT, “ Mr Hargreaves said. CHOOKY DANCERS TO KICK OFF FRINGESubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 2:09pm.Get ready for nine nights of whacky and wonderful music, theatre, dance, circus, comedy and lots of weird stuff at the Fringe and Festival Club of the National Multicultural Festival 2008 – proudly sponsored by Direct Factory Outlets (DFO). ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs John Hargreaves has officially launched “Fringe 08” and said it will serve up something for everyone. “Over the coming days Canberrans and visitors to our city will enjoy the DFO Fringe and Festival Club performances by local, interstate and international acts such as Little Dove Theatre, African Diaspora, Lolo Lovina and a four new theatre shows right here in the Courtyard Studio,” Mr Hargreaves said. “The entertainment will commence tonight — opening night — with the first ever performance in the ACT of the Chooky Dancers from the Northern Territory. “The Chooky Dancers are a group of 10 young Indigenous men who have choreographed performances to Zorba’s dance. It’s fantastic to see how they have adapted some contemporary Aboriginal dancing styles to Greek music. “Their repertoire also includes a Bollywood-style dance. Footage of their performances has been featured on YouTube and has been downloaded by more than 500,000 Internet users. The Chooky Dancers are famous in both Australia and Greece and we are very lucky that they are a part of this year’s National Multicultural Festival.” The DFO Fringe and Festival Club will be staged in Civic Square each night from February 8 to 16 from 7.00pm until late. All performances are free except for ticketed shows at the Courtyard Studio at the Canberra Theatre Centre. For more information about the 2008 National Multicultural Festival and DFO Fringe Festival, log on to www.multiculturalfestival.com.au MUCH-NEEDED UPGRADE FOR MULTICULTURAL RADIOSubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 2:07pm.ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs, John Hargreaves, has announced that multi-lingual community radio station 2XXFM has been successful in securing substantial ACT Government funding to upgrade its equipment. “2XX is a very important community radio in this city, especially for the multicultural community. “Without it, many members of the community face the risk of feeling isolated, and of being cut off from news and broadcasts in their own language,” Minister Hargreaves said. 2XX will purchase much needed mixing panels, equipment to computerise the records library and a new computer and printer with the funding of $70,000. The radio station has been operating with equipment up to thirty years old. Minister Hargreaves thanked the crew of 2XX for all the hard work and dedication they have demonstrated towards the multicultural community in Canberra. FINAL CONSULTATION ON ATSI ELECTED BODY THIS WEEKSubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 2:04pm.The final round of community meetings for people interested in finding out more about the proposed legislation to establish a new elected representative group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT — will be held this week (6—10 February). This representative group would be involved in the development and implementation of government policies that affect the Indigenous community in the ACT. Following community consultations in 2006 to seek ideas on how such a group would operate, the ACT Government committed to establishing the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) — under its own Act. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Bill 2007 — which reflects the views and recommendations received during consultations was prepared and released in late 2007 — is still open for comment. “This Bill is an important step forward for the local indigenous community,” Chief Minister and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jon Stanhope said. “The community meetings to be held this week are a last opportunity for people to come and find out more about how the new Elected Body will work. “We are also encouraging people to provide written comments on the Bill.” Comments on the Bill will close on 11 February 2008 for introduction into the Assembly in March/April 2008, for debate in April. To find out more about the proposed legislation or the community meetings, visit www.dhcs.act.gov.au, contact Oliver Kickett on 6205 2507 or email terina.barratt@act.gov.au. Community meetings will be held: 7 February: 12pm to 2pm, Tuggeranong Community Centre, Cowlishaw Street 8 February: 12pm to 2pm, Woden Senior Citizens Club, Corinna Street & Melrose Drive 10 February: 10am to 2pm, Boomanulla Oval, 34 Goyder Street, Narrabundah NEW ROAD SAFETY SIGNS BEING INSTALLEDSubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 2:02pm.Minister for Territory and Municipal Services has announced that a series of road safety signs were being installed around Canberra. “30 new road safety signs are currently being installed. These signs are being used to encourage people to take care when they are driving,” said Mr Hargreaves. “Road safety is no accident. Road safety happens through the efforts of many individuals and many groups in our society, both government and non-government. Each one of us has a role to play. “The ACT generally has a good road safety record in comparison to other parts of Australia and other parts of the world, but there is no reason to be complacent. Each year, there are about 7,000 on-road crashes in the ACT, with an economic cost to the community of some $180 million. “Last year I launched the ACT Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan which provide a framework for addressing key road safety issues in the ACT, by applying the “4 Es” of road safety (education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement) in an integrated way. A copy of the 2007 Strategy and Action Plan can be found at http://www.tams.act.gov.au/move/roads/road_safety/act_road_safety_strate... “These new signs are one way to educate and remind drivers and the community to take care when driving. Topic Speeding Speeding hurts William Hovell Drive Coppins Crossing Road Majura Road Hindmarsh Drive Barry Drive Morshead Drive Pialligo Avenue Federal Highway Kings Highway Belconnen Way Distraction Drive n text UB Next Northbourne Avenue Commonwealth Avenue Drakeford Drive Drink driving Don’t drink and Drive it’s a crime Gundaroo Drive Barton Highway Barry Drive Cotter Road Seat belts Buckle up Gundaroo Drive Pialligo Avenue Monaro Highway Isabella Drive Fatigue Monaro Highway Federal Highway Kings Highway $700,000 IN GRANTS TO ASSIST WOMEN RETURNING TO WORKSubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 2:00pm.ACT Minister for Women, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA was pleased to launch the Women’s Return to Work Grants program at the Gungahlin Child and Family Centre which will see 700 grants available for Canberra women. The 2007/08 budget initiative provided $883,000 over four years to administer a new grants program whereby amounts of up to $1000 can be applied for by women returning to the workforce after caring for a child. “Returning to paid work after being a primary carer for a child can be a daunting experience for women,” Ms Gallagher said. “This program is about providing practical support to assist women to increase their potential as employees, by funding skills development or other employment related expenses”, she said. “Under the program, the grant could pay for short training courses, formal education, or childcare fees to attend interviews. Equipment or clothing directly related to a woman’s return to work could also be paid for through the grant.” The initiative — delivered through the Women’s Information and Referral Centre (WIRC) — is specifically designed to assist women on low incomes to overcome the barriers that many women face when returning to work after an extended period of being out of the paid workforce. Women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young women and women with disabilities are encouraged to apply for a grant. For more information and grants program applications visit www.wirc.act.gov.au or contact 6205 2885. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SOUGHT FOR HISTORIC YARRALUMLA BRICKWORKS SITESubmitted by Mary Porter on Mon, 17/03/2008 - 1:49pm.The Government is seeking creative and innovative expressions of interest for the conservation and redevelopment of the historic Yarralumla Brickworks and its surrounds. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today that the Government was keen to seek creative proposals from organisations and consortia interested in the site. “The Brickworks is an important piece of Canberra’s history and heritage and it is crucial to breathe new life into the precinct,” Mr Stanhope said today. “We have seen just last year, with the transformation of the historic Kingston Powerhouse into a major cultural facility, what is possible when we think laterally about how to best protect and enhance important cultural heritage sites. The Yarralumla Brickworks presents another such opportunity to think really creatively about the future — and the past.” The Land Development Agency, on behalf of the ACT Government, will advertise in tomorrow’s Canberra Times to gauge interest from organisations with the capacity and expertise to both conserve and develop the site. "Special consideration will need to be given to the long-term preservation of the site's unique characteristics, location and history,” Mr Stanhope said. “The historical significance of the site will need to be carefully considered, given its heritage value as the first industrial manufacturing facility within the ACT, and for its integral role in the construction of Canberra's early buildings. "Clearly we are also looking to ensure that any development on the site focuses on quality urban design and environmentally sustainable outcomes.” The request for EOIs is the first step in a two-stage process. Depending on the quality and vision of the submissions received, the Government intends to draw up a shortlist for suitable proposals. Stage Two will involve a comprehensive tender process. The community will have the opportunity to engage in the process during this stage. Expressions of Interest close on 11 April 2008. |
Recent ACT Government Media Releases |